Job searching is serious business, right? Absolutely, and that’s why I want to share with you how Twitter has actually made it easier for job seekers believe it or not! Your next job might be 200 Tweets away  – it was for Brandon Savage, who literally did find his job via Twitter. Now, I know the majority of you out there are skeptics, and that’s why this is such an exciting post to write. This week marks the arrival of The Twitter Job Search Guide, written by three very talented colleagues, Chandlee Bryan, Deb Dib and Susan Whitcomb. I happen to be one of the contributors to the book too, which is also very exciting so in honor of it’s publication I wanted to dive in and debunk the 5 myths I see that are preventing you from using Twitter in your Job Search?

For the uninitiated, Twitter, is quite perplexing, in fact I think it might be one the most misunderstood tools on the web. Granted, its name does not suggest anything serious, and I am sure this might be where many get stuck. Whenever I read an article mentioning its relevance, or ask a non-user what they know about it, there is almost always reference to its more casual and inane usage- Yes, we don’t care what you ate for breakfast, unless it was with Nelson Mandela.

After talking with a lot of people about their Twitter hang-ups I realized there are five myths clouding peoples impressions and precluding their exploration of this highly compelling tool. If the number of passionate professionals using it is any indication, then Twitter is much more than just frivolous banter. Hopefully I can help you understand why, and get you onboard.

1. Twitter is an inane and frivolous activity and a waste of time.

Okay, getting serious now Twitter is not just fun and games. In fact, if you use it with intention and purpose- to secure or share specific and current information- you just might find it can be a very effective way to connect and network with new people in your field, or career of interest.  For the millions of people who have been drawn in by its real-time, cutting edge, social networking technology, Twitter can be job search or business networking on steroids, expanding your networking abilities and business outreach capacity beyond what you ever imagined.

Who would have though that “Tweeting” would have played a key role in alleviating political crises in Madagascar or Iran.  While there certainly may be some childlike, whimsical activity going on, there is also a whole lot of serious information being exchanged too, only it is in digital form, and it’s infectious, in a good way.

Twitter, along with other social networking tools is revolutionizing how people job search, network and share information. Within a five-minute time span, I watched over HUNDREDS of jobs be posted live on Twitter. If used strategically, and pay attention to the time, Twitter can be an incredible time saver. Time is of the essence when you are in job search, and the fact that you can receive targeted and current job openings, in real-time, to your phone or computer, instead of wasting time on a job board is invaluable.

2. Twitter is only for social media savvy people

Of all the social networking sites, believe it or not, Twitter is the least demanding in terms of “figuring it out”. Of course, like any new tool, it takes some getting used to, but after observing how it works, it is quite literally plug and play. And, anyway, are you saying that you have given up learning new things?  In today’s ever-changing world, there really isn’t room for that type of thinking, unless you are ready to retire from life!  Everyone has to start somewhere, and in fact the new job search paradigm obliges everyone to learn a new approach to promoting him or herself in the marketplace. The social media is integral to this process, and as one of my “boomer” clients accurately corrected me the other day when I said this technology is about the future, he corrected me: “No, it’s the present!”

3. You’re too old for Twitter. If you are too old to learn something new, expand your network, or meet new and interesting people, then, yes, Twitter is not for you. But if you don’t let your age impede your professional development, then Twitter is absolutely a tool for everyone. Just like my client I mentioned above, he is putting himself out there and absorbing as much as possible and he is finding it exhilarating. Something I say to every job seeker who uses age as an excuse, “It’s mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”. Ironically, I have younger clients ask me, “Isn’t Twitter for older folks” while the older ones suggest the opposite. Either way, if you want to be first to hear about the ideal job, Twitter might be where you find it. Can you afford to not be there?

4. What on earth has Twitter got to do with me Job Search or Business?

Everything actually! In many ways, it’s the brand new job board. Recruiters love it, so who’s arguing? Plug in any keyword into the twitter search mechanism and you might be quite surprised see what comes up in relation to your interest. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Sarah Needleman agrees that  “A new job is  “Just a tweet away” mentioning that “many big companies, including Microsoft Corp., Verizon Communications Inc.,    and Viacom Inc.’s MTV Networks, now list job openings on Twitter “

For me, the final proof that Twitter is now considered legitimate by the business Community is Linkedin’s partnership with the blue bird. As the defacto number one online networking tool for professionals, this is quite a bold move.

Then again, you just need to take a look at the numbers on Tweetmyjobs.com, the  world’s largest Twitter Job Board: In 30 days: 350,553 job tweets, in just one hour: 3,723.

5. I won’t be able to protect my privacy

In the new world of Social Media, privacy is probably an oxymoron, but then again, there was identity theft long before Twitter and other social networking sites were invented.  The point is that while participating on Twitter is an “anything goes” roof party, or if you wish, London’s (in)famous “Speakers Corner” the fact that all powerful Google can find almost anything, people will be “listening” to what you say,   so  tweet wisely. That being said, Twitter, like all the sites, you can establish your Privacy Settings so that your profile and tweets  are protected from random spam, followers, and anybody you don’t want to associate with. You have a choice of how public you want your twitter profile to be, if at all.  Certainly set these up if you prefer, but maintain a highly professional presence, no matter what. Social media is viral, by nature, and you never know what will make it out into the Google sphere of influence!

Ultimately, everything that you do online today is trackable, however the benefits of participating in the conversation so that you can ultimately expand your professional networking capabilities and connect with people you may not have other, far outweigh the negatives, of a little spam, or not being found online at all.

The Twitter Job Search Guide promises to be great… You can buy it here. But if you need a little hand holding in order to get on, and make the most of it. Give me a shout, or sign up for my next Twitter for Job Search Webinar on April 13^th

Monday: Online: Linkedin Research. Target key people in Professional groups/Answers section: Reach out with a targeted question(s), or request for an informational interview. Do Keyword searches to find people who could share relevant information with you, and that would help you build a solid network on LinkedIn. Email first, then ask for a telephone conversation. Emphasis is on making a connection in person, or on the phone. The linkedin connection can wait.

Set up 2-3 in-person meetings for the week. These are opportunities to get to know someone better, as well as get to know a targeted employer, or letting them know you better.  Share valuable information with your network: Know of someone who could help someone else. Share it.

Tuesday: Go Local: Speed networking at Ferguson Library, Volunteer, Join a group via Meetup, local community center- learn new or participate in sport , learn a new group oriented game. Find a Knitting group,  a language group. Share a valuable piece of information with all members of the group. Always mention your name before asking a question or contributing to the discussion.   

Recruiter Connect: Reach out to recruiters you know just to say hello. Ask how they are doing? Maybe you have connections for other jobs that they are looking to fill.

Wednesday: Practice Knowledge-powered networking: Determine your passion/ area of expertise: Gather information, write your own article. Post it on Linkedin, your Facebook profile. Can you make it into a PowerPoint presentation? Who can you present it to. – Call up Continuing Ed Programs as well as professional association groups you are a member of to discuss ideas.

Go where the party is: Register for one professional networking/event a week. Alumni Groups/ Professional Association E.g Whine & dine, MENG (Marketing Professionals) / Conference/ Talks related to your interests. Search Linkedin event calendar, Idealist Event calendars. Set up a Google alert based on Keywords “Non-profit”, Event, CT

Thursday: Online: Share & comment on one or more articles pertaining to your area of interest/ expertise. Share on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter.

Friday: Take a class for professional & personal development – Continuing Ed. Programs – Broaden your skill set and meet new people with similar interests and at a reasonable price

Volunteer: Preferably in a setting where you are using your skill sets or developing new ones, and you have the opportunity to get to know more people. Don’t know where to find the most appropriate volunteer activity for you, check out this comprehensive list

Saturday: Relax & network:  Find a team sport/ group activity you would enjoy participating in like dancing, Movies, Languages/ Books/ Dogs- Once again, not sure where to look, www.Meetup.com

Sunday: Start a conversation: At the gym, at a kids birthday, at the park, at the library, at Starbucks.  Practice Curiosity as a job search technique- Ask questions. Create your own informational interview. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you learn.
Exhausted? I bet.. If this is too rigorous for you then start slowly- choose a few activities you can get started with. With a little bit of practice, You are going to start feeling really good.Let me know how they go. Happy Networking! And once again, here is to a GREAT 2010!

Positivity is infectious and the more positive energy you exude, the more others will be inclined to want to talk with you and help you. Taking along your positive attitude might also help someone else who isn’t feeling so good. And if you need a little pick me up, see how other people do it at the Happiness Project or the Positivity Blog. Sometimes, it’s just getting out of the house and being around others that can help you forget about your woes for the time being.

A holiday party, for instance, is a time to put aside those anxieties, relax and make the most of being around old friends, new friends, fellow job seekers and who knows who else, right? Make the decision to show up with the most positive and open mind because the chances of you leaving feeling even better is directly correlated to your positive approach.  Alternatively, take a friend or two to your next party, particularly if you know someone who does not get out enough right now and needs to do more networking, because, the more the merrier when spreading good cheer.

4 Don’t Overlook the Gifts Others Will Have For You. It is easy to go into a networking event or party, take a quick glance, and decide, “There is nobody worth networking with”. Of course, this not a very constructive attitude to go anywhere with, and in fact, since networking is about getting to know people, unless you have really made every effort to do that, that judgment call is inherently false. In fact, everyone has something of value to offer, and if it’s not immediately evident, your task is to engage until you figure out what that nugget of uniqueness is and with enough inquiry and curiosity, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you find out.

You may have holiday parties lined up with family and friend and believe that no networking is going to take place there. However, you might find yourself reconnecting with cousins, aunts, or friends of friends you only get to see around the holidays. Do they know you are on the market for a new opportunity? Do you know what type of work they all do, where they work, and how they got there? Maybe not, so be prepared to find out what they do, ask questions about their career trajectory, and any other good advice they can share with you. Never dismiss anyone and their potential to share something with you and vice versa. With an open mind, and a little curiosity, you might walk away with a lot more than you expected.

5. The Gift of Genuine Interest. Find out who is going to be at your various networking events by calling your friends, perusing the evite invitations, or Meetup.com RSVP’s, and then select 1 or 2 acquaintances (or more, per party) who you have always wanted to get to know better but haven’t had the chance. You’ve seen these people at networking events before and you know a little about them and want to know more because they do something you are interested in, worked a company you are exploring, or they are just interesting. If you know they will be at a party you are going to, do some research (No this is not snooping, just a little networking preparation). This way, you will be able to engage in some meaningful conversation, and be ready with some strategic questions that might help you learn more about a company you are interested in, or about their particular expertise. By having learnt a little about them, make your acquaintance feel special, and interested in what they do and have to offer, without asking too many questions. Most people loved to be asked advice, and are generally very willing to share their knowledge with interested parties. So, show your genuine interest, and you just might reap the rewards of a more fulfilling conversation.

6. The gift of a Linkedin Connection . Don’t underestimate how you might be able to help someone by inviting them into your network. A Linkedin invitation is ideally a mutually beneficial experience; assuming that both parties are equally invested in their professional networks and they both use Linkedin. So, go armed with your business card, and if you don’t have one, now is the time to invest in one. Vistaprint is relatively inexpensive, and easy to design online. This is one present you need to give yourself and the most important piece of information you can have on it is your Linkedin Profile URL. Before you leave, don’t forget give your card to every person you have talked to, and invite them to connect. You might be the link to helping someone else find a job, and that’s priceless, and not just for the lucky person. Being the essential connection in that process will pay long-term dividends back to you.

So, pay-it forward and put some good will out there this holiday season, everyone will be very grateful and you won’t be forgotten.  Ultimately, that’s what really counts.

A Mindset of Giving

Seems obvious, right, since this is the season, but one of the biggest mistakes people make when networking is going into it with the mindset of “what can I get out of this?” No doubt, having a clear set of goals and what you want to gain from your networking efforts is very important, but that is not what its all about. A common assumption is the thinking that you don’t have anything to give back, particularly if you are not working. This is not true at all and in fact if you go into any environment where you are going to have the opportunity to connect with people, focusing on how you might be able to help someone else is what can really propel your networking efforts forward.

A mindset of giving is the foundation of truly successful networking. Developing  your reputation as someone who is interested, helpful, and trustworthy will lead the way for others to willingly and generously want to help you in times of need. If this was not your understanding of networking before, what better time to start.

The Gift of Listening

In order to really engage with someone, the best thing you can do is listen. In fact, listening is the greatest gift you can give anybody because you are giving someone the chance to tell their story. I learned this weekend after a powerful experience with an organization called Narativ, that there is no story without a listener. However, we humans are easily distracted, and considering these stressful times, we tend to get caught up in our own thoughts, concerns and anxieties that prevent us from listening fully. It has also been found that, despite conventional wisdom, introverts do a better job at “networking” in the long term, because they tend not to talk as much and are therefore, better listeners.  So if you can work on putting those anxieties aside, stop talking for a while, and practice the art and skill of listening, you might be amazed at what you will hear.

So, pay-it-forward (where you can) and put some good will out there this  December, everyone will be very grateful and you won’t be forgotten.  Ultimately, that’s what really counts.

More  Gifts of Networking coming this week!